Is a rough childhood an acceptable excuse?

No.

its not necessarily and excuse but it can be a reason

Some terrible traumas I could see affecting you, but I don't think it is an excuse. If anything, it should be an opportunity to overcome your past. People made fun of me for being fat as a kid, but I don't sit and mope about it now, I did something about it instead. There is always help available if you can't overcome it yourself.

While those circumstances are very said, I don't believe that should be an excuse!

I've had a dysfunctional and toxic upbringing, but managed to rise above it all. Guess I'm just lucky. I think it depends on strength, circumstance, opportunity, and sometimes just pure luck. Although, the woe-is-me attitude is unexcusable.

I think everyone has a story, yet it is up to that person to write the rest of the chapters of his life. Sometimes the people who struggle the most are the ones who can overcome more than those who were given everything. I personally don't believe in excuses.

I know a lot of people who have had less than desirable experiences in their childhood, some were downright horrible. I’ve heard many of them blame their lack of success (no high school diploma or GED for example) on the way they were brought up. Verbal and/or physical abuse, parents on drugs, abandonment…whatever the case. Do you feel that as an adult, that’s an acceptable excuse?

I seriously don't think this topic should even be discussed as it will offend others, even slightly.

Only if you want to continue in a life of no success. When you stop making excuses and begin to take control of your life, you will be successful!

I am the child of an abusive addict. Neither of my parents had any higher education.

I put myself through college (my mother couldn't afford to help me as she's disabled and my father passed away when I was sixteen). I maintained a B+ average, all while working 30+ hours a week.

I want to say that it's definitely hard to figure out where I should be and what choices I should make. I have a harder time gauging what's 'normal,' but it can definitely be done. Just like anything else, you have to work at it.

Not at all. I'm one of those kids with a sad childhood, although, most of it was beyond wonderful, some of it was horrific. I can't let what happened to me as child prevent me from succeeding now. Life sucks, move on.

I should add, it has taken me years of therapy to get to this point. Before therapy I refused to be held back simply because I didn't want the people who hurt me to ruin my future, I succeeded out of spite, so same goal, different attitude now.

Hi...I think someone else wrote, my exact thoughts. It can be a reason, but, can not be used as an excuse. Excuses hurt ourselves and we get stuck....when we need to move forward.

It depends on what outcome you want. I agree it can be a reason - and it can be an excuse if you want people to sympathize with where you are now. But really, if you focus on what your goal is, you'll find you don't need any excuses. I wish you all the best.

I could go on for days about my effed up childhood but at some point you have to move on. Its in the past and you can either play the victim FOREVER or choose to overcome it. Sadly lots of people continue to play the victim.

I am a success today because of those that hurt me. I refuse to prove them right about everything they ever said to me or the things they did to me that scarred me deep down to the bone.

As a child i was a victim but as an adult I am victorious by no one else's fault but my own with my hand in Gods once I finally woke up and realized I dont have to be unhappy forever.

So to answer your question, nope its no excuse and I personally believe that they need to get over it. Somehow or another get the help you need and be the best you that you can be.